Children's Picture Books by Tohby Riddle
The Royal Guest, The Singing Hat and Nobody Owns the Moon
Dec 22, 2008
Tohby Riddle has “ideas in words and pictures” as part of the header for his website and the phrase captures the appeal of his books perfectly. His picture books are quirky and fun, although with a depth that makes them not only entertaining but also thought-provoking.
Nobody Owns the Moon
Riddle’s latest picture book, Nobody Owns the Moon (Penguin, 2008) features a city-living fox named Clive Prendergast. While Clive, in the nature of foxes, is able to adapt well to city life, some of his friends are not.
Clive lives in an apartment and works in a factory production line at night. Humphrey the donkey finds it more difficult to adapt. He doesn’t always have a fixed address and finds it difficult to hold down a job.
When Humphrey finds an invitation to an exclusive premiere, Clive encourages him to go. They enjoy the theatre performance of Nobody Owns the Moon, including the complimentary hors d’oeuvres and hot drink and cake after the show.
This lovely story is a great way to chat with children about fitting in, accepting others, friendship, serendipity and the power of focusing on the positives in life.
The Singing Hat
In The Singing Hat (Viking, 2000) city-dweller Colin Jenkins finds himself resting peacefully under a tree in a park. He wakes and makes his way home, unaware that a bird has built a nest on his head. His daughter encourages him to leave the bird alone, so he decides to simply adapt so that the bird is not disturbed.
Colin does not realise the complications his new bird hat will bring. The nest helps him to meet new people, but it also alienates him from existing friends and excludes him from places where he was previously welcome. He loses his job and his home and finds himself wondering how such a simple decision to be different could have such a large impact on his life.
As the bird finally flies away and leaves the nest behind, Colin discovers that his experiences with the bird and its nest have left him changed forever.
The Royal Guest
In The Royal Guest (Hodder & Stoughton, 1993; Puffin, 2008) the Queen is planning to visit Australia. Mrs Jones of Padstow offers to billet Her Majesty, offering plenty of room and a comfortable bed provided the Queen brings her own sleeping bag.
Over the next few days, the Queen experiences everyday suburban life, playing cards with Mrs Jones and her friends and helping Mrs Jones take her cat to the vet on her way to a meeting with the Prime Minister.
An amusing concept very simply told, The Royal Guest offers as much in entertainment value to parents as it does to children.
Other Books by Tohby Riddle
Riddle has written and/or illustrated other books including:
What’s the Big Idea? and Pink Freud (Penguin, 2007) - collections of cartoons from Riddle’s ten years with The Sydney Morning Herald Good Weekend supplement and Melbourne’s The Age newspaper.
Dog and Bird see the Moon (Penguin, 2007) – Riddle’s first picture book for very young children.
The Great Escape from City Zoo (Penguin, 2007) – Can four animals escaping from the zoo make a life for themselves on the outside?
Irving the Magician (Penguin, 2006) – Join Irving, who lives with his aunt Irma in New York, as he searches for the answer to the question “Where is the magic?”
Arnold Z Jones Could Really Play the Trumpet (Puffin, 2000) – Arnold play the trumpet, loudly and badly, even in his sleep.
Illustrations for The Word Spy (Penguin, 2008) by Ursula Dubosarsky
Interesting Picture Books for Children
With interesting illustrations and a multitude of themes and discussion points, Tohby Riddle books are wonderful for parents to read with children and for teachers looking for picture books to start class discussions.
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